Defence Nuclear Organisation - Assistant Head Strategy

Job summary

The Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO) is responsible for the provision of the nuclear deterrent, encompassing our submarines and nuclear warheads, while also advising on UK nuclear planning and fostering international co-operation on nuclear matters. With a multidisciplinary team of over 700 professionals, the DNO brings together expertise in science, engineering, finance, policy, programme delivery, and more. We work in partnership with the Royal Navy, the Submarine Delivery Agency and the Atomic Weapons Establishment as the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE).

Here at DNO we strongly believe that diversity and inclusion is not only the right thing to do but is also essential for a thriving and successful organisation. We have a culture where differences are celebrated, and our people feel supported, included and empowered. Join us and be part of an organisation that truly values diversity and inclusion and makes a positive impact on the world.

The post is open to substantive Grade 7s and experienced colleagues on promotion.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

The required security clearance for this role is Developed Vetting (more information below in the Security section). This post is classed as ‘Reserved’ as per the Civil Service Nationality Rules. For further information please see the attached documents.

Job description

The first duty of government is to keep its people safe. The Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE) is a vast organisation, bringing together civil servants, military, contractors and industry partners to deliver Defence’s top priority. This role plays a crucial part in cohering individual work strands across the enterprise, ensuring strategic alignment and supporting efficient, joined-up delivery across the Enterprise. The Strategic Projects team is also responsible for engagement between the DNE and wider MOD Strategy function, representing the views of the enterprise and ensuring wider DNE-MOD alignment. The role will have the following responsibilities:

• Lead the DNE’s approach to implementation of key defence strategic priorities such as those set out in the Strategic Defence Review. Drive efforts to deliver activity that aligns with these recommendations, ensuring this is accurately and comprehensively reported to Ministers via key governance Boards.
• Conduct strategic analysis of DNE delivery and X-HMG support for the deterrent, identifying opportunities for improvement. Provide evidence-based recommendations to senior leadership to inform decision-making and optimise strategic outcomes.
• Be the primary DNE lead for all senior briefings, up to and including the Prime Minister. Build a network of stakeholders across all areas of the enterprise, drawing on these relationships to regularly produce high-quality, comprehensive briefing packs at pace. Ensure CDN and Senior Officials have the required information available to them for meetings with MOD Ministers and wider Government.
• Lead and coordinate DNE strategic projects, aligned with enterprise objectives and senior stakeholder requirements.
• Ensure DNE alignment with Defence Reform as it continues its implementation phase. Represent the DNE at Defence Reform fora, identifying areas where further internal work is required and ensuring this activity is undertaken.
• Line management responsibility for one SEO (C1).

The role will also undertake a variety of activities within the wider DNO Strategy department and will be expected to reprioritise as necessary to support emerging taskings.

Please note that flexible and condensed working patterns can be considered for these posts. However, due to security constraints the post is not suitable for hybrid/remote working and successful applicants will be based in MOD Main Building (Whitehall). Candidates are encouraged to discuss options with the recruiting line manager before submitting an application. Part time/job share is not applicable to these roles that successful individuals to take forward at pace to establish and start delivering the outputs within the first few months of employment

Person specification

Essential Skills:

• Excellent written communication skills, with experience of drafting submissions and briefings which convey complex information in a concise and compelling fashion (using the full suite of Microsoft programmes).
• Excellent team working skills and a collaborative mindset for working across government.
• Strong oral communication and stakeholder management skills, able to build strong relationships to support effective delivery of priorities.
• Excellent problem solving and analytical skills, providing you with the ability to rapidly structure a problem.
• Political awareness and strategic analysis skills that can be deployed flexibly across a wide range of priorities.
• Comfortable working under ambiguity and in a fast-paced environment, with the ability to quickly re-prioritise as necessary to deliver critical activity.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience of coordinating across government or working with other government departments.
• Sound judgement and analytical skills to enable evidence-based decisions and identify risks.
• Knowledge or an interest in the Defence Nuclear Enterprise.
• Experience of working in a strategic environment with Senior Management, and/or Policy Officials, would be an advantage.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £61,630, Ministry of Defence contributes £17,854 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

The first stage of the selection process requires candidates to successfully complete the Civil Service Verbal test and the Civil Service judgment test.

Following successful completion of the online tests, candidates can apply online via the Civil Service Jobs website by completing the application form before the deadline shown. Apply using the Civil Service Jobs apply button, filling in all required details in all sections. Using the Success Profiles link for information on format and style, ensure you provide evidence for all Behaviours and Experience sections requested in the appropriate competency style.

*Please note that not following the appropriate format will mean that you may be unable to reach the required grades for sift or interview*

Candidates will be required to provide a CV to include job history, and previous experiences and a Personal Statement of Suitability (maximum 500 words) that sets out your motivation for applying and shows how your skills and experience meet the essential/desirable requirements for the role.

At Sift, you will be assessed on your;

• CV
• Personal Statement

Success Profile Behaviours:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together

If a large number of applications are received, the sift will be based on your CV, Personal Statement and the lead behaviour Seeing the Big Picture only. However, evidence should be provided against all behaviours as requested.

The requirements for the role have been benchmarked and these will be used to sift all candidates, with those meeting the minimum requirements invited to interview.

At Interview, you will be assessed on your Experience and;

Success Profile Behaviours:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing

Candidates invited to interview will be required to undertake a presentation as part of an assessment. Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates in advance of the interviews.

Candidates who are found to meet an acceptable standard at interview but are not successful for this advertised post may be considered for similar roles within the Business Unit.

You will also be expected to achieve Developed Vetting clearance, above the normal clearance level expected for the MoD.

The Defence Nuclear Organisation plays a vital role in supporting the delivery of the UK’s independent strategic nuclear deterrent. To help enhance security, staff working for the DNO are encouraged to always exercise a high level of discretion in sharing information or talking about their work. As part of the application process, we ask that you do not tell anyone other than your partner or close family member about your application to join the DNO. You should not mention your application on social media or discuss it with anyone else at this stage.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment

Further information:

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points-based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category, and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system.
Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Julian Mansfield
• Email : julian.mansfield110@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-ResourcingTeam3@mod.gov.uk

Further information

Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: info@csc.gov.uk.

Attachments

20240731-Nationality_Requirements-Further_Information_for_Candidates_v2-O Opens in new window (pdf, 67kB)Defence Internal Brief notice Opens in new window (docx, 43kB)Candidate Information 2025 Opens in new window (docx, 31kB)MOD Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 1563kB)